2024 National High School Leadership Conference

Registration will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Reston (11810 Sunrise Valley Dr, Reston, VA 20191) outside the Grand Ballroom. You are welcome to try and check into your hotel room prior to conference check-in, but rooms are not guaranteed until 3:00 p.m. The conference starts at 6:00 p.m. with a dinner banquet in the Sheraton Grand Ballroom.

Checking out of the conference and the hotel will occur Saturday morning from the Sheraton Reston (11810 Sunrise Valley Dr, Reston, VA 20191). We recommend flights depart between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, as the airport shuttles will run to accomodate those hours. Any students who choose flights departing in the late afternoon or evening will be taken to the airport at noon.

You should fly Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Please submit this form so we know how you plan to arrive at the conference and have adequate space for you in the vehicles if needed.

We do not provide a shuttle from the Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) or Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), as we are limited in the staff we can allocate to airport pickup and drop-off. Students arriving at BWI and DCA will be responsible for making their own arrangements for getting to the hotel.

“Unaccompanied Minor” is a term used by airlines to designate travelers under their care.

Please refer to your specific airline for guidance on who must be designated as an “Unaccompanied Minor.” Flying as an unaccompanied minor requires you to have a designated staff member pick you up at the gate upon arrival and wait with you at the gate, inside of TSA security, until your flight is “wheels up.”

Due to the limited number of staff members, we are not able to accommodate Unaccompanied Minors via YAF staff. We will pick up at designated baggage claim only. Students needing to fly as “Unaccompanied Minors” must have a friend or family member who is able to get them through the security process.

Students will be picked up by a Young America’s Foundation staff member (with a sign) at IAD baggage claim #3 and will be taken in a shuttle to the hotel. They may have to wait at the airport for the next shuttle to arrive. The specific times of these shuttles will be determined once students submit their travel information forms. Students will receive an email with these details no later than the Tuesday before they arrive. As a reminder, we are not able to accommodate Unaccompanied Minors via YAF staff.

We are not able to pick up students from Union Station in Washington, D.C. You can take the metro from Union Station to the Wiehle-Reston East Station, which is a brief and safe walk to our National Headquarters.

Yes—travel assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis for those with demonstrable financial need. Please complete this form to be considered for travel assistance. If any additional questions arise, please email [email protected].

Please note that travel assistance is not guaranteed and is allocated on a case-by-case basis. Incomplete essays will not be considered.

Tuition assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis for those with demonstrable financial need. If you have financial need, please email a brief essay (no more than a page) to Jaime Hahn at [email protected] with some language regarding your financial need. We cannot consider your request until we receive this essay.

 Yes! Your generous tax-deductible gift of $2,000 will allow Young America’s

Foundation to host a student at this program who could not otherwise attend. You can designate a specific student you know to attend or sponsor a student who is receiving free tuition as a result of financial need. For more information about this sponsorship opportunity, please contact Young America’s Foundation Development Officer Ilinca Biggs at [email protected] or call 800-USA-1776.

Yes, students will be supervised by Young America’s Foundation staff members who will chaperone the students the entire weekend. Students are expected to behave appropriately or will be told to leave the conference at their parent’s expense. YAF enforces a curfew each evening, and students must abide by the hotel rules. Both parents and students will need to sign a responsibility pledge when the conference approaches.

The event kicks off with a dinner banquet on Wednesday night, and Thursday and Friday will feature speakers and discussion sessions. The conference concludes with a tour of the national monuments in Washington, D.C. on Friday night.

No, because the event is only three days long. If you wish to see Washington, D.C., aside from the group tour, you need to make your own plans to arrive early or stay late. Young America’s Foundation only covers your lodging on Wednesday through Friday nights, and we are unable to accommodate or supervise you at any other time.

The conference fee of $100 includes 4 days/3 nights in a business hotel, conference tuition, materials, and meals from Wednesday dinner through Saturday breakfast.

Wednesday dinner:      Professional Attire
Thursday morning:      Business Casual
Thursday dinner:          Professional Attire
Friday morning:            Business Casual
Friday dinner:               Casual but respectful attire, including the Young America’s Foundation t-shirt you are given, comfortable shoes

Please use common sense when packing. No clothing with rips, cutouts, obscene language, or inappropriate coverage will be allowed, and we will send you back to your room to change if needed.

 Students will have one roommate of the same sex for the conference in the hotel, regardless of if you are related. The registration form contains a blank in which you can request a roommate, and we will do our best to accommodate those requests.

Parking is available at the hotel and YAF headquarters, complimentary.

Please feel free to call Conference Director Jaime Hahn at 800-USA-1776, or email her at [email protected] if you have any specific questions.

100 students are expected to attend the conference.

Conference updates will be posted on Twitter (@YAF and @Y_A_Freedom) and Instagram (@YAF_). Lectures will be livestreamed on YouTube at YouTube.com/YAFTV.

Pictures from the photo lines and conference events will be posted on the Young America’s Foundation Facebook page following the event. Photos may take several weeks, please be patient.

Yes, you are welcome to bring items to be autographed, however, we cannot guarantee the speakers will be able to sign them. Please do not ask speakers for autographs or photos during the Q&A portions of their lectures. We will do our best to help you with these requests, but our speakers have very busy schedules and may not have time allotted for photos and signings.

I am registering for myself, or on behalf of my minor child or ward (hereafter “child”), to attend a Young America’s Foundation’s (YAF) private event. I understand and agree that, as an express condition of participation and/or attendance in YAF’s event, I intend to be legally bound and will abide by the following terms & conditions.

1. Terms of Registration. All attendees must register themselves or their child and any guests they may be registering for using the real and true name for all parties and may be asked to present valid identification to verify the identity of the registrant and their guests. I understand and acknowledge that any actions intended to disrupt or undermine this YAF event will result in my or my child’s immediate ejection from the event. Disruptive activity includes, without limitation and in YAF’s sole determination, posting or sending inappropriate words, statements, or images, through social media or by and between event attendees. YAF reserves the right to pursue all appropriate civil & criminal remedies against disruptive attendees. Attendees removed for disruptive activity forfeit any registration fees and will be required to reimburse YAF at applicable actual costs of their attendance within ten (10) business days.
2. Acceptance & Attendance.
   1. I understand that this event may have a limited amount of space and that my application may be subject to confirmation. I understand that all applications submitted prior to June 10, 2024 will receive a response on June 10, 2024 regarding acceptance. Applicants who apply after June 10, 2024 will receive notice within two (2) weeks of their application submission. I understand that in the event I have not been accepted I will be refunded via my original payment method.
   2. Participation in this YAF event is made possible through the generous financial support of YAF’s supporters nationwide. As such, I or my child agree to attend all sessions of the National High School Leadership Conference. I understand that if I or my child fail to attend the entirety of YAF’s event without good cause, I agree to refund YAF the actual cost of attendance for the event, including hotel, food, transportation, and other costs incurred.
   3. Acceptance and participation in this YAF event include reviewing and understanding the terms and conditions of YAF’s Responsibility Pledge, the terms of which are incorporated by reference. I understand that violation of the Responsibility Pledge may result in my removal or the removal of my child from the event, forfeiture of registration fees, and applicable reimbursement due to YAF.
3. Cancellation. Except in case of emergency, if accepted to attend YAF’s event, I must notify YAF by June 26, 2024 of my or my child’s inability to attend or I may be charged $1700 since it is too late to give my reserved space to another participant. I understand that the conference fee is not refundable if I cancel my participation after June 26, 2024.
4. Policy Focused Event. YAF’s event is intended solely for the promotion of conservative ideas, in accordance with YAF’s tax exempt mission. No political activity, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, is permitted at YAF’s event. No candidate stickers, pins, t-shirts, or other materials may be worn, displayed, or otherwise visible by members of the audience. I understand that attendees will not promote any other groups or organizations without express written permission from YAF.
5. Roommates & Lodging. If applicable, I understand that I or my child may be assigned roommates for the conference. A preferred roommate of the same sex may be requested, but YAF is not obligated to honor that request. I agree to notify YAF staff immediately if a problem with a roommate arises during the event. I or my child further agree to abide by all applicable hotel rules, as well as any rules or instructions from YAF staff as deemed necessary, in YAF’s sole determination, during any overnight event stay.
6. Consideration. In consideration for participation in this event or program, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is acknowledged, I agree to release and forever discharge YAF, its officers, employees, and assigns from all manner of actions, legal causes of action, claims and demands for or by reason of any damage, loss, or injury to person and property which has been or may be sustained as a result of my own or my child’s participation in this event or program.
7. Liability Release. I am fully aware that there are risks, foreseeable and unforeseeable, related to me or my child or ward attending this event or program, ranging from normal risks associated with any stay away from home, such as physical injury from a slip and fall or accident, food poisoning or allergic reactions, loss or damage to personal property, fires, disasters, terrorism or other incidents of violence, contraction of illness such as the flu, COVID-19, or legionnaire’s disease, which could result in a serious medical condition requiring treatment in a hospital or could possibly lead to death. For my own benefit or on behalf of my child or ward, our heirs, successors, and assigns, I knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown, relating to participation in this event or program and I hereby forever release, waive, relinquish, and discharge YAF, its officers, employees, and assigns from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, rights, damages, expenses, and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, and other losses of any kind, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, and I further promise not to sue YAF for any personal injury, disability, property damage or theft, or death which may result from participation in this program.  These terms and conditions shall be construed under Tennessee law and should be interpreted by any court of competent jurisdiction to provide a release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible.
8. Assumption of Risk. I assume all risks and hazards incidental to participation in the above mentioned function, including transportation to and from such activities, and do hereby release and waive all claims against YAF, its directors, officers, staff, employees, volunteers, representatives, agents, and speakers whether they be foreseen or unforeseen at the time this waiver is signed. I understand that it is my sole responsibility to avoid exposing MYSELF OR my child to foods that WE may be allergic to and to take all necessary precautions relating to potential allergies, including having any medication such as an epinephrine pen (“epipen”) on my OR MY child’s person at all times and notifying Young America’s Foundation staff of concerns. I understand that YAF makes no promises or guarantees that an accommodation will be made for my or my child’s allergy, even after notifying YAF of said allergy. As such, I recognize that if I or my child consumes food or beverage at a YAF event, I assume the risk.
9. Emergency Medical Treatment Consent/ Property Damage. I grant permission for emergency medical treatment to be performed upon me or my child in case of sickness or injury and have indicated any special medical needs or allergies in the space provided below. All expenses incident to hospital care shall be my responsibility. I also accept responsibility for any property damage to the program facilities that I or my child may cause.
10. Consent and Release for Use of Likeness. YAF uses real photos, videos, and quotes from students for promotional purposes. By attending this YAF event on your own behalf or on behalf of your child, you irrevocably consent and authorize YAF and its affiliates, employees, related companies, and contractors, to record, film, photograph, broadcast, or otherwise capture during the event and related events your likeness, image, voice, or any other indicia of identity in any media whatsoever and to distribute, use, broadcast, or disseminate into perpetuity such media for any purpose whatsoever without any further approval from you or any compensation of any kind to you. The images in all media will constitute YAF’s sole property, and YAF will have the right to use your likeness, image, voice, or other indicia of identity, including, but not limited to, the right to produce, publicly perform, transmit, exhibit, publicly display, print, reproduce, televise, broadcast, transfer, modify, distribute, create derivative works of, and otherwise use for any lawful purpose, in whole or in part, in any location throughout the world through any means or medium or format without limitation, any Subject Matter, all without prior inspection or further consent or approval by the undersigned of the finished product(s) or of such use, together with irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide and royalty-free rights, title and interest in and to any and all results and proceeds from any such use.
11. Exclusive Broadcast Rights. You further agree that you will not record, reproduce, or transmit from the place of performance, in any manner or by any means whatsoever, any portion of, or the entirety of, any YAF event in the absence of the specific written permission of YAF. YAF retains the exclusive copyright to all materials that may be distributed at the event, unless otherwise noted, and all video or audio recordings of all YAF events.
12. Data Usage:  By sharing your information with YAF, you agree that we may use your information to contact you about this event and other activities, such as educational materials or opportunities to attend future events, as disclosed to you at the point of collection, or in any other manner that advances our educational purposes. This includes, without limitation, adding your e-mail address to receive YAF emails and receipt of telephone calls and text messages to your cell phone. You affirm that the cell phone number provided at registration is your own or that of your minor child, and that YAF may call and/or send text messages to this phone number to provide information regarding your application or registration for this event, as well as future YAF events and programming. You understand that message and data rates may apply to any such messages. We may share or transfer your information with our affiliates and any other organizations or entities for similar purposes.
13. Severability. If any provision of this waiver is held to be invalid or unenforceable that provision will be eliminated or limited to the minimum extent possible, and the remainder of the waiver will have full force and effect.
14. Understanding and Acceptance. By including my name on this form and allowing my child to participate in this Program, I confirm that I understand and have had a full opportunity to review these terms and conditions. I have had the opportunity to have these terms and conditions reviewed by a legal counsel of my choosing. In the event of any dispute between the Parties regarding any ambiguity or inconsistency in this terms and conditions, the adjudicating body will use a neutral construction not favouring either Party. I understand and agree that these terms and conditions constitute the full entire agreement between myself and YAF and supersede any prior oral or written understanding or agreement. No modifications, alterations, or amendments may be made to the terms and conditions unless done in writing and agreed to by both parties. I accept these terms freely, I declare my intention to be bound by the terms, and I acknowledge it shall be construed broadly to provide a full release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.